St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-06-18
WHEELER'S CAREER
LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES L
THE DECEASED STATESMAN.
Death of the Ex-Vice President After
Lingering Illness-The Pathetic Isola-
ton of the Closing Years of His Life-His
Settlement of the Louisiana Troubles.

Ex-Vice President Wheeler died at his
home in Malone, n. Y, at ten minutes past
ten of the morning Of Saturday, June 4. He
had been unconscious since the previous
Monday. Mr.. Wheeler was greatly esteemed
and loved by all his fellow-townsmen, and
the sad event has cast a gloom over the en-
| tire community. No near relative was left
| living to minister to him during his illness
or to watch by his side at death, but the
relatives Of his deceased wife and many
| friends who have been bound to him from
| boyhood by the closest ties Of affection were
tender in solicitude for him, and a few OF
them were grouped, with his pastor and
physician, about him when he breathed his
last
William A. Wheeler was born at Malone.
Franklin county, n. Y, June 80, 1919. He
came of Vermont stock. His father was Mr..
Almon Wheeler, a lawyer, who died in 1927.
leaving widow and three children with but
slender resources. The boy, an only son,
was blessed with the proverbial New Eng
land pluck and during his youth not only
toiled to secure for himself an education, but
also to contribute to the support Of his
mother and sisters. Preparing himself for
college, he entered the University of Yer
mont at Burlington in 1888 and pursued his
studies there for two years, at the end OF
which time he withdrew and began the study
of law. He entered political life by being
elected district attorney of the county on
the Democratic ticket. Then he became a
Whig, and after serving one term in the Leg
islature fOrsOok the law to become cashier
| of the Malone Bank, and for eleven years
president of the Northern New York rail
road. When the Republicans elecied him to
the New York Senate in 1853 he was made
president pro TEN. of that body, and in 1850
| he was elected to the United States Congress,
serving but one term. He presided over the
New York Constitutional Convention of 1867,
and in 1868 was again elected to the House OF
Representatives, where he remained until
1876. His most distinguished service as a
congressman was rendered in 1874 when he
was chairman Of the committee sent to Louis
lana and negotiated a settlement of the
troubles of that distracted State, which was
known as the Wheeler compromise.
Nominated for the vice presidency by the
Republican convention on the ticket headed
by Rutherford B. Hayes. he took his place
On the 4th of March, 1877, as the second ex-
acutive of the nation and presiding officer of
the Federal Senate. The duties of this exalted
position, which his long experience in public
affairs, his natural dignity Of demeanor and
his acknowledged administrative ability well
luallIeu MN 10 ulSclarge, were peTloTI1eu
in highly creditable manner, and at the
expiration cf the term he retired with the
esteem and cordial respect of the nation of
all shades of political sentiment. In 1881
Mr.. Wheeler was asked to allow the use Of
his name as a candidate for the United
States Senate He declined in manly letter.
determining to pass the remainder of his days
in the quiet to which long and useful life
entitled him, in the bosom of the community
where he was born where he had ALWAYS
made his home and where all recognized in
him ready friend and a visa counselor.
His hesitation to re-enter public life was
mainly due to the malady which was fast
gaining upon him. Continued suffering
from insomnia was tending toward soften
ing of the brain, and it was quite well known
that the use of opium, first resorted to in
order to procure sleep, was growing into
confirmed and increasing habit. For several
years he has been a mental and physical
wreck and only left his own home at rare
intervals